If you’ve been around sex addiction meetings long enough you’ve no doubt heard people talking about “disclosure.” While there are many different ways to go through the disclosure process, I thought I’d spend a few minutes discussing what disclosure is all about and why you might consider going through it.

First, what is disclosure? There are two different types of disclosure: spontaneous and formal disclosures.

Spontaneous disclosures are those disclosures of information that are offered up, particularly after a spouse or significant other finds some evidence of their partner’s sexual behaviors. These disclosures are raw confessions that are done without therapeutic or professional guidance. They are typcially done in the spur of the moment when caught by a partner. Frequenetly unplanned, they often involve the individual giving either too much detail or withholding important details. Spontaneous disclosures of sexual behavior are often motivated by fear, remorse, or relational anxiety and can be very painful and even traumatizing to the partner, the relationship, and the individual giving the disclosure.

A formal disclosure is a professionally guided process, where an individual works with a therapist to prepare a document that lists his or her history of sexual behaviors. This process is done in conjunction with the addict’s partner to determine what information he/she wants to know and what he/she does not want to know. The addict then shares this disclosure in a professionally guided disclosure session with rules and parameters that both the addict and the partner are prepared for in advance. I can’t emphasize enough how important the formal disclosure process is – It is common for addicts to err on one side or the other: sharing too many explicit details that can be traumatizing and trigger the partner, or as typically the case, withhold some painful details. Because addictive behavior is conducted in secrecy, it is common for addicts to want to withhold certain pieces of information they feel would be too painful for their partner. Yet, if a partner believes he/she has heard all of the details and discovers additional information later (which DOES happen), they become further traumatized. Additionally, trust is further eroded. The formal disclosure process helps provide a level of safety to both the addict and the partner.

Having briefly described spontaneous vs. formal disclosures, here are a few reasons why the disclosure process can be so important for men and women healing from sex addiction:

A full disclosure of information in a professionally guided session puts the partner on an equal footing with the addict. Many partners decide to stay in the relationship, even after sexual betrayal. At the same time, it is only fair to the partner to allow her/him to have all the facts.

The only true way to build back intimacy in a relationship is to eliminate deep secrets withheld from the partner. Intimacy is based on vulnerability, authenticity, honesty, and trust. Deep secrets will erode any chance couples have to rebuild intimacy. At the root of sex addiction is a problem with intimacy, so one critical way to address the problem is to build intimacy through honesty and truth.

The disclosure process enables a partner to find her/his footing again. Discovering a significant other’s sex addiction can feel like the floor was ripped out underneath a partner. Partners frequently assume the worst, so a disclosure helps a partner know where the bottom of the addict’s behavior lies. While extremely painful, feeling grounded allows opportunities to move forward.

The disclosure process can be an extremely valuable component of the addict’s recovery as well. Exposing secrets to a loved one in a guided manner can be very freeing and can actually help the addict integrate the secret and shameful parts of their lives with the part of themselves they want others to see.

Trust, particularly towards the beginning of this process, comes through action not just words. Going through the formal disclosure process is a significant step for addicts in moving towards relational healing.

These are but a few of the reasons for going through a formal disclosure process. I caution you again – Though it can be invaluable in a relationship to go through the formal disclosure process, it will bring up pain. It should NOT be attempted without the guidance of a professional who can help you through the process. This process is not for everyone, so it should only be considered with the careful guidance of a professional trained in the formal disclosure process. Think of it like this: When you have a seriously infected wound, you need medical assistance to open up the wound, clean out the infection, and stitch you back up. While that process is painful in the moment, it is the best way to keep the injury from causing even further damage.

I hope this was a helpful introduction to the disclosure process. If you have any questions feel free to email me or call me at (310) 415-5732.

So what's the deal with all of the different 12-step groups for sex addiction?

There are several different groups based on the original model of Alcoholics Anonymous for those who are dealing with sex addiction or for those who are impacted by their partner's sexual behavior. Depending on where you are in the world, some of these groups are more active than others. Since I'm writing from LA, though, I thought I'd write about the basic differences between "S" programs in Los Angeles. It can be tough to navigate through all the different options, particularly in a place that has a lot of options. I hope this provides a basic overview of the main sex addiction 12-step groups.

SAA is perhaps the largest program in Los Angeles. Sexuality is so complex and nuanced for each of us, and the sexual behavior or behaviors that might be problematic for one individual might not be for another. Hence, SAA allows each individual member to define what behavior they are abstaining from. So unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, where taking a drink of alcohol defines "sobriety" in SAA, the nature of the "drink" varies from individual to individual, just as sexuality varies from individual to individual. An advantage of this program is it accounts for the complexity of our sexuality. A drawback is that leaving the definition of abstinence to the individual can lead to unclear understandings of sobriety.

On their website they say, "Most of us have no desire to stop being sexual altogether. It is not sex in and of itself that causes us problems, but the addiction to certain sexual behaviors. In SAA we will be better able to determine what behavior is addictive and what is healthy. However, the fellowship does not dictate to its members what is and isn't addictive sexual behavior. Instead we have found that it is necessary for each member to define his or her own abstinence."

Sexaholics Anonymous defines sobriety from compulsive sexual behaviors as abstaining from any sexual behaviors with yourself or anyone else outside of marriage. One of the advantages of this program is that it clearly defines sobriety for each individual. A drawback of this program is that it does not take into consideration the diversity of sexual expression, orientation, or sexuality among those not married.

Taken from the SA website, "For the sexaholic, any form of sex with one’s self or with partners other than the spouse is progressively addictive and destructive. We also see that lust is the driving force behind our sexual acting out, and true sobriety includes progressive victory over lust."

SLAA is a program that focuses on the relational component of the illness. This could involve multiple relationships, romance, or problematic fantasy about others or relationships as well as compulsive sexual behavior(s). An advantage of this program is that it deals with the relational components of the addiction. A drawback is that it tends to be more disposed towards women in LA.

As they say on their website, "We in S.L.A.A. believe that sex and love addiction is a progressive illness which cannot be cured but which, like many illnesses, can be arrested. It may take several forms - including (but not limited to) a compulsive need for sex, extreme dependency on one person (or many), and/or a chronic preoccupation with romance, intrigue or fantasy. An obsessive/compulsive pattern, either sexual or emotional (or both), exists in which relationships or sexual activities have become increasingly destructive to career, family and sense of self-respect. Sex and love addiction, if left unchecked, always gets worse."

I'm not as familiar with this program and the next program. In LA, my understanding is that SCA is more widely attended by those in the LGBTQ community. Whereas SA clearly defines sobriety, and does so between a heterosexual couple, SCA is open to the expression of sexuality between couples - whether gay or straight.

Taken from their website, "Our primary purpose is to stay sexually sober and to help others to achieve sexual sobriety. Members are encouraged to develop their own sexual recovery plan, and to define sexual sobriety for themselves. We are not here to repress our God-given sexuality, but to learn how to express it in ways that will not make unreasonable demands on our time and energy, place us in legal jeopordy -- or endanger our mental, physical, or spiritual health."

SRA exists in LA, but is a smaller program. As they express it on their website, "Sobriety is the release from all compulsive and destructive sexual behaviors. We have found through our experience that sobriety includes freedom from masturbation and sex outside a mutually committed relationship."

POSA is an emerging program for partners that is not a 12-step program in its own right. Instead, it sees the impact of sex addiction as a trauma on the individual and the relationship. There are resources and links for partners, as well as resources to start their own POSA groups. As they say, "Posarc helps spouses and partners who are losing their loved one to porn addiction, sex addiction, cybersex, strip clubs, affairs or massage parlors. We regard this as relational trauma and utilize trauma approaches to help you heal."

RCA identifies that there are three entities that need healing from compulsive sexual behaviors - the individual, the partner, and the relationship. RCA is a program that focuses on this third entity to bring relational healing to couples. RCA's "primary purpose is to stay committed in loving and intimate relationships and to help other couples achieve freedom from addicted and destructive relationships."

Faith-Based Groups:

The following groups offer a Christian alternative to the programs listed above:

Yes, I said it. Masturbation. It’s one of those things most of us rarely talk about publically but most of us have done or continue to do privately. Exploring our sexuality is a normal part of our development, and masturbation is a typical part of this journey.

If masturbation is so common, why is it so hard to talk about? If it is a normal part of sexual development, how come we can’t talk about it openly with our friends and family? There are perhaps as many answers to this question as there are people on earth, but the simple answer is this: Masturbation is typically a solitary behavior. Many people learn to masturbate when they are at an awkward, insecure phase of development. Consequently, it becomes a behavior that’s done in secret. Add to this a family, community, or faith tradition that labels masturbation as bad, and we can come to view masturbation as shameful. Even our over-sexualized society stigmatizes masturbation. Ever found yourself laughing uncomfortably when someone brings up the word in conversation? Are you painfully aware of how many times I’ve written the word “masturbation” so far (9. But who’s counting)?

Without going into masturbation being good or bad, right or wrong, I wanted to focus on a few warning signs where masturbation might be swinging into unhealthy territory:

You masturbate to the point of self-injury. There is no magical number of times in a week or amount of time masturbating that is the optimal amount, but if you are masturbating to the point where you are harming yourself, chances are you are doing it compulsively.

You feel the need to masturbate successively. If you’re simply needing a physiological release, once should suffice. 3, 4, 10 times successively most likely indicates you are using masturbation to medicate emotions or escape. At the very least, this should be a clue to check in with yourself and see how you’re using masturbation.

It is interfering with your relationships or your work. Are you single and use masturbation as a way of avoiding intimacy or putting yourself out there romantically? Are you married or in a committed relationship and find masturbation preferable to engaging your partner for sex? Have your partners expressed concern about your masturbation habits? Have your behaviors impacted your ability to function at work? For some, it can feel far less threatening to turn to masturbation rather than intimacy, connection, coping with work stress, or facing fears of rejection or abandonment. If used in this way, masturbation can sidetrack relational intimacy.

Masturbation negatively impacts your relationship with yourself. When you masturbate, are you MORE in touch with your body, your sensations, and your spirituality, or do you feel more numb, lonely, and spiritually disconnected? If you feel less connected after masturbating, you might want to take a look at what role masturbation is playing for you.

You feel shame about it. Whether the shame is surfacing because of your religious beliefs, societal messages, or family views, shame can be extremely damaging. Shame frequently leads to even further secrecy and maintaining a double life where you look good on the outside but don’t feel so good on the inside. It is really important to talk to someone about this shame, since it typically deepens over time.

You have tried to cut down or stop masturbating but you continue anyway.One main criterion that a behavior has become addictive is loss of control over the activity. If you have made repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop, or if your behaviors have escalated in the amount of time spent, the frequency, or the intensity of the behaviors, it’d be a good idea to talk to a professional who can help.

You have become obsessed or preoccupied with masturbation. If you have become preoccupied with thoughts about when and how you will be able to masturbate, there’s a good chance it might be a problematic behavior for you.

These 7 signs are by no means exhaustive, but my hope is to provide a few indicators where masturbation might have moved into an unhealthy place for you. So now what? If you identified with one or more of these warning signs, I would encourage you to reflect on your use of masturbation and what it means to you. If you have a safe person who you can trust, talk to them about it. If you feel like you might be masturbating compulsively, or even addicted, it’s really important to talk to a professional who can help. Addictive behaviors don’t get better on their own, so talk to someone who has been professionally trained to deal with sex addiction or compulsive sexual behaviors. I am available to answer any questions and/or to help link you to someone who might be able to help you.

And for any of you who were wondering how many times I used the word “masturbation” in this article? Wait for it . . . . 34. And not ashamed of it!

I'm often asked about good computer filters, so I thought I'd write a bit here to help you get started with some basic information. For parents, these programs can be very helpful to limit your child's access to certain sites on the internet. For sex addicts or those who struggle with pornography, setting up filters and accountability software is a vital component of successful recovery.

There are two basic types of programs - Internet filters and accountability programs. So what is the difference between filters and accountability programs? Simply put, internet filters block or limit access to internet sites while accountability programs provide a record of what the user has accessed to a designated third party. These programs can vary a great deal in the amount of content filtered on the internet or the amount of information reported to an accountability partner. For example, some mobile accountability programs have the capability to monitor the user's location via GPS, emails, texts, internet use, etc. Typically, accountability programs will email a summary of what the individual has looked at to an accountability partner or parent, including previously flagged types or levels of information accessed (e.g., pornography). Similarly, filters can be programmed to block certain types of content while allowing other content to be accessed.

Most accountability software and filters work well on PCs and Macs. These programs have also been adapted for phones and tablets. Programs can be downloaded as applications for iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and Android-based devices. Unfortunately, there are no great programs for Blackberry devices, but I will list a few that I have tried.

Here are some different programs that can help you get started. UPDATE: I'VE BEEN ASKED TO REMOVE THE LINKS FROM THE SITES BELOW, SO LINKS HAVE BEEN DEACTIVATED. FEEL FREE TO SEARCH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:

Internet Filters:

K-9 - this is a free program that works on Macs, PCs, and i-devices (iPhones, iPads, iPods)

netnany - A low cost program that works for PCs, Macs, and Android devices

bsecure - Another low cost program that works on PCs and i-devices

Cyberpatrol - Another program that works on PCs

OpenDNS - This program filters the home router, so all connected devices are filtered. Free and paid versions available

Accountability Programs:

x3watch - This has a free version and a paid version, and works on Macs, PCs, i-devices, and Android devices. x3 watch also has a basic filter

Combination of Internet Filter and Accountability:

While many of the programs above do provide accountability reports, the following programs not only work well as filters but also have excellent features for accountability to others:

Covenant Eyes - A moderately priced program that has excellent accountability features and adds filters for PCs, Macs, i-devices, and Android devices

Safe Eyes - A low-cost program that filters and provides accountability for PCs, Macs, and i-devices

Mobicip - An inexpensive program that works on PCs, i-devices, Android devices, and systems that operate on Linux

Programs for Blackberry:

Again, I haven't found any great programs for Blackberry yet, but these programs do work on most Blackberry devices:

Mobile-spy - A moderately priced program that provides accountability on email, text, phone, GPS, video, and other data. This program does not work with every device

Stealth Genie - A similar program to the one above that works for more devices

I hope this helps give you a basic overview of some of the internet filters and accountability programs out there and how they can help you keep your kids safe or help you manage compulsive sexual behavior. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you have other programs you have tried that have not been included. I would be happy to add more good programs to the list.

I really recommend the book. If you want to know more about it, here's a review I wrote on Amazon:

Clergy Sexual Misconduct is a must-read for professionals, clergy, church members, or anyone interested in this topic. Thoburn, Baker, and Dal Maso have brought together a group of experts in the field to contribute to the book. The result is a powerful compilation of chapters from psychotherapists, attorneys, counselors, pastors, and educators. The book addresses the scope of the problem, prevention, treatment, legal considerations, restoration of individuals, families, and congregations impacted by the sexual misconduct of church leaders.

Thoburn and Baker move beyond a simple paradigm of addressing the problem after it arises. Instead, they provide a comprehensive systemic paradigm rooted in reconciliation, which addresses intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. Addressing these factors with prevention, clergy personal formation in seminary, as well as treatment and oversight for those clergy who have engaged in sexual misconduct, this book serves as an invaluable guide for anyone invested in preventing and minimizing the damage done by a church leader's sexual misconduct.

My copy of this book is is underlined and dog-eared. I highly recommend it, and plan on keeping it handy as a reference. So whether you have never read any material on sexual misconduct in the church or whether this is your area of expertise, this book is a vitally important resource.